Beyond Best Practices: Rethinking UX for the Next Digital Era

UX design is full of “best practices” that have been repeated so often they’ve become unquestioned doctrine. But what if we challenged those assumptions? What if the next great user experience isn’t found in a rulebook but in the spaces where innovation disrupts the expected?

At Brady UX, we’re not here to follow trends. We’re here to redefine how digital products engage with users. Our latest research document, "Beyond Best Practices: Rethinking UX for the Next Digital Era", explores why blindly following industry norms can stifle creativity—and how designers can rethink interface patterns to craft more meaningful experiences.

🔗 Read the full document here: Beyond Best Practices: Rethinking UX

The Problem with UX “Best Practices”

Best practices exist for a reason. They help create predictability, efficiency, and accessibility. But over time, they also create a sameness—an echo chamber where every website and app starts to feel the same.

Consider these common UX principles:

✅ Minimalist UI reduces cognitive load

✅ Shorter onboarding increases retention

✅ Users prefer familiar interaction patterns

These guidelines aren’t wrong, but they often limit how we approach design. Not every problem needs a minimalist UI. Not every app benefits from a two-step onboarding process. And sometimes, breaking a familiar pattern can create a more delightful, memorable experience.

What If We Rewrote the UX Playbook?

Our research explores alternative approaches to UX that challenge traditional heuristics. Here are some key takeaways:

1. Embrace Product Personality, Even at the Expense of “Usability”

Instead of always prioritizing ease of use, what if digital products leaned into uniqueness and personality? Think about how games, creative tools, and immersive experiences defy convention yet keep users engaged.

📌 Takeaway: A slightly more complex or unconventional UI can be more rewarding if it aligns with the product’s core experience.

2. Rethink Onboarding—Make It a Journey, Not an Obstacle

We’re told onboarding should be fast, but what if it should be engaging instead? Instead of reducing the number of steps, rethink onboarding as a guided experience—one that teaches by doing rather than rushing users into the product.

📌 Takeaway: The best onboarding isn’t the shortest—it’s the one that makes users feel invested from the start.

3. Friction Can Be a Feature, Not a Flaw

Not every interface should be effortless. Some interactions, like financial transactions or creative decision-making, benefit from intentional friction. Deliberate roadblocks can slow users down in a way that improves their decision-making.

📌 Takeaway: UX isn’t always about making things faster—it’s about making them better.

4. Interfaces Can Be Emotional, Not Just Functional

Great UX isn’t just efficient—it creates an emotional response. Think about how Apple’s haptic feedback or Duolingo’s playful animations make interactions feel alive. Emotional design is often overlooked in favor of efficiency, but it’s what makes a product memorable.

📌 Takeaway: A UI that feels right can be more impactful than one that’s simply functional.

The Future of UX: Experimentation Over Imitation

If we want to push UX forward, we have to be willing to break the rules. Not recklessly, but intentionally—by questioning whether best practices are actually serving users or just serving the status quo.

At Brady UX, we challenge ourselves to go beyond what’s expected and design for what’s possible. The future of UX won’t be shaped by what’s been done before—it will be shaped by those willing to redefine the experience.

🔗 Read the full research document here: Beyond Best Practices: Rethinking UX

What UX “rule” have you questioned lately? Let’s talk in the comments. 🚀